I dreaded that first robin so, br But he is mastered now, br And I'm accustomed to him grown,-- br He hurts a little, though. br br I thought if I could only live br Till that first shout got by, br Not all pianos in the woods br Had power to mangle me. br br I dared not meet the daffodils, br For fear their yellow gown br Would pierce me with a fashion br So foreign to my own. br br I wished the grass would hurry, br So when 't was time to see, br He'd be too tall, the tallest one br Could stretch to look at me. br br I could not bear the bees should come, br I wished they'd stay away br In those dim countries where they go: br What word had they for me? br br They're here, though; not a creature failed, br No blossom stayed away br In gentle deference to me, br The Queen of Calvary. br br Each one salutes me as he goes, br And I my childish plumes br Lift, in bereaved acknowledgment br Of their unthinking drums.